Captain Molly Corbin, who was born Margaret
Cochran on November 12, 1751 in Pennsylvania, was the daughter
of Robert Cochran.In
1772, she married John Corbin, a native of Virginia.Soon
after the beginning of the Revolutionary War, John Corbin enlisted
in the Pennsylvania artillery.

On November 16, 1776, Corbin’s artillery
company was in Fort Washington at New York City when it was attacked
by the British.After
her husband was killed during the battle, Margaret Corbin heroically
filled his post and fired the cannon in his place.In recognition of this heroic deed, she became the first woman to
receive a pension, half the monthly pay of a soldier, from the
United States.

Known as “Captain Molly Corbin” she was
also the first woman fighting as a soldier who was wounded
in action in the Revolutionary War.She
is listed in the records of the Invalid Regiment of West Point,
as “Captain Molly.”In
1800 at the age of 49 Captain Molly died. She
was buried about 3 miles from West Point in the highlands above
the Hudson River with a cedar tree marking her grave.On April 14, 1926, the remains of Captain Molly
Corbin were re-interred at the Military Academy Cemetery at
West Point, New York, with full military honors.

Captain Molly Corbin Chapter meets
the second Thursday of each month from September through May at
7 pm.